If I could give it a 0 star review I would! Worst Leadership Ever! - Senior Manager SmartBug Media Employee Review

1.0
11 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This was once my dream job and, under previous leadership, it was genuinely a great place to work. The strongest aspect of the company has always been its people. There are many exceptionally talented, knowledgeable, and dedicated employees whose contributions are often underestimated. I had the opportunity to work alongside intelligent, caring individuals who are deeply committed to the quality of their work and the success of their colleagues. The culture among peers is characterized by strong camaraderie and mutual support. Despite challenges, employees consistently go out of their way to help one another within the limits of their roles and responsibilities. The teamwork, professionalism, and willingness of colleagues to support each other remain the company’s greatest strengths.

Cons

The company has experienced a significant and rapid decline under its current leadership. In a relatively short period of time, many of the qualities that once made this a strong organization have been eroded. Employee turnover has increased substantially, resulting in a loss of institutional knowledge and placing growing pressure on the employees who remain. A major concern is the lack of adequate backfilling for vacant positions. As employees leave, their responsibilities are frequently redistributed among existing staff, creating unsustainable workloads and contributing to widespread burnout. The burden placed on remaining employees has become increasingly difficult to manage and has negatively affected morale across the organization. There is also a noticeable disconnect between leadership’s messaging and employees’ experiences. While leadership often emphasizes transparency and open communication, many employees feel their concerns are not genuinely heard or addressed. Direct questions frequently go unanswered, and there is often a lack of clear direction, leaving teams uncertain about priorities and long-term strategy. The work environment has become increasingly stressful and, at times, toxic. Many employees appear disengaged, exhausted, and overwhelmed by the pace of change and the growing workload. The impact on employee well-being has been significant, with mental health concerns becoming increasingly common. Burnout, stress-related absences, and extended leaves have become recurring issues, highlighting the urgent need for leadership to prioritize employee well-being, rebuild trust, and establish a more sustainable operating model.Mi

Explore other reviews about SmartBug Media

5.0
11 Jun 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Flexibility to work how you want/when you want.

Cons

Lots of changes are happening, but what organization isn't with how much the industry has changed.

2.0
4 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The people are some of the best coworkers you could ever have. They are the most supportive and encouraging team ever. It’s also very flexible during the day and leaving your computer.

Cons

I would run in the opposite direction. The company itself, for lack of better terms, is a dumpster fire. The clients themselves are easily some of the most difficult and rude that I’ve ever dealt with in a client facing position. excessive turnover with no support from point success/Smartbug back filling roles. The paid media department is largely unsupported from the company, which I think is what they were trying to solve with the whole point success rebrand. The cycle of people quitting and piling more work and accounts onto existing people with literally no relief never ended. Also, the pay sucks for the work you put in. And the “raises” that are literally just laughable

2
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